Tissue Viability Team win national award for their efforts in increasing knowledge on pressure ulcers

The Tissue Viability Team at North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust has been announced as the winners in the ‘Demonstrating an Impact on Patient Safety’ category at the Bright Ideas in Health Awards 2018 for their efforts in increasing knowledge on pressure ulcers.

Fiona Kelly, tissue viability nurse at the Trust, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won this award. We have been working incredibly hard over the past 18 months to further raise awareness of pressure ulcer prevention and to continue to reduce the number of hospital acquired pressure ulcers. We are so pleased that our hard work has been recognised and will continue to look at new ways to sustain the improvement and further reduce the rates of pressure ulcers throughout the Trust.”

The Trust has seen a 61% reduction over a two year period in pressure ulcers developing in hospital and this improvement is being sustained. The Tissue Viability Team also started a reward scheme for the wards for pressure ulcer free days. Last month, the Critical Care Unit at the West Cumberland Hospital celebrated two years without any hospital attributed pressure ulcers.

The team has introduced a number of interventions including the use of clocks to prompt patient repositioning, a focus on offloading pressure from heels, mirrors to help check patients’ skin and documentation to be able to accurately record skin conditions. There has also been a strong emphasis on education to ensure staff have the necessary knowledge to be able to prevent pressure ulcers.

Dr Nicola Wesley, Chief Operations Officer at the AHSN NENC, organisers of the Bright Ideas in Health Awards said: “The Bright Ideas in Health Awards never fail to amaze and inspire. The North East and North Cumbria is a hotbed of innovative thinkers and problem-solvers and these awards provide the ideal platform to celebrate the achievements of the healthcare professionals that are making a real difference across a wide range of healthcare settings.

“At a time when our health service is under immense pressure, it’s never been more important for us to search for solutions to address everyday healthcare challenges. We have been overwhelmed by the quality of projects taking place across our region and I would like to personally say well done to all the winners and the finalists. I’m sure they will act as inspiration for others to think outside the box and develop ideas that could ultimately help lessen the pressures on frontline NHS staff and improve patient care.”

The Demonstrating an Impact on Patient Safety award aims to provide recognition for innovations and quality improvements that demonstrate a strong safety culture, improving quality and reducing avoidable harm.